The Florida Legislature is meeting in special
session this month and property tax reform will once again be a
hot topic. Property tax legislation approved by lawmakers this
year has primarily benefited homeowners – not business property
owners.
The Florida Association of Property Tax
Professionals (FAPTP), the Florida Bar Association and the State
of Florida Chambers of Commerce have been working together to
lobby for needed legislative changes.
The proposals include:
-
Requiring
appraisers to meet certain standards before their
assessments are presumed correct under the law
-
Challenging the
overassessment of property based on its highest and best use
-
Giving taxpayers
the chance to submit evidence in Value Adjustment Board (VAB)
hearings and court proceedings
-
Promoting
uniformity in VAB proceedings
-
Prohibiting
appraisers from using public funds to challenge statutory
laws
-
Preventing
collusion between special magistrates and county appraisers
-
Awarding property
owners interest on tax overpayments
-
Allowing lessees
who pay taxes to challenge their property assessment
The Tax and Budget Reform Commission is holding
public hearings in October. Pro-taxpayer groups will continue to
push for property tax relief for business property owners and a
more level playing field to challenge incorrect property tax
assessments.
